Fun Fishing With A Jon Boat

I bought a small 14ft. Lowe Jon boat with a 9.9 Johnson 2 stroke motor and its a blast fishing out of it. It really brings back the joy of fishing when things were more normal and fun [no big boat and alot of extras etc.] and more basic. Oh I put a trolling motor on the back and a fish finder and 7 rod holers etc but its so much fun to fish out of a small easy to control tiller boat and will get into the backwaters and lakes where a big boat can’t get to. Sometimes basic is the way to go. Its so much fun. If you are looking for a jon boat check out Smitty’s Marine in Lake City as he has a bunch of them and and its a less expensive way to get into your first boat or to get a 2nd. boat. Thanks, Bill

I second the jon boat and keeping it simple. One other nice thing about a small boat is you dont have to spend so much time away from the water to pay for it.
My polarkraft 1675 has 4 ram holders, garmin 240, and a 55# bowmount with remote. Very comfortable to fish out of.
Theres anouther guy online here that picked up a jon this last year. Sounds like it is also nicely rigged for the upper mississippi.

I know what you mean, I grew up in a 14′ Lowe Big Jon, and a little over a year ago purchased my first “Walleye Boat” 17′ Lund Explorer with a 75 hp tiller. Let me tell ya, if I have to run my outboard to work a wingdam I would much rather have the little boat. So much more control with the little boat. This may sound wacky, but I like being right next to the water when I 3-way or slow troll the face of the dams. I also prefer to run the backwaters with the little boat. They are great for exploring in the spring high water. You don’t have any idea how big the tiffany bottoms are until you pack a lunch and start exploring on a nice spring day. Of course for all out comfort, and many hours on the water I wouldn’t trade the big boat for a jon in a million.

My trolling motor has 50 lbs of thrust and does it ever move that Jon boat. They are sooooooo much fun to fish out of. The boat control you can have with these boats is unreal-great. And there are so many new waters available [backwaters, small lakes etc] to you in a Jon boat that my big boat wouldn’t be able to get into. I feel like a little kid so excited about the fun I have with this boat. Thanks, Bill

I saw the pictures of your new rig. What a sweet looking outfit. That would double as a heck of a duck boat too if a guy had an interest. It would save some wear and tear on the big boat for Wintertime Poll 4 fishing. Sure gets a guys mind thinking—so many things and so little cash flow.

I could not agree more with your post, Bill. Every time I use my jon boat (which is my primary boat from now till March) I think to myself, man I love this rig…it’s so easy/simple. Feels good “Getting Back to Basics” this time of year.

J.

It makes it very easy to get up front and personal with those fish.
Spring time with the jon boat is great also. My son and I look forward to spring flooding every year. Nothing like running the jon threw the woods checking out those backwater lakes and channels. Running up flooded beaver runs and threw the flooded timber. What fun. Good thing those boats are tough. And if you get stuck just pick it up and move it.
You also have to enjoy loading a small boat. As long as it balances on the trailer you are good to get it out of the water. It can then be straigthened out on dry land.
Sure wish I was out in my Jon boat today.

Quote:

---

Sure wish I was out in my Jon boat today.

---

Today? You are nuts! I’m just glad it’s raining. Five degrees cooler and there would be 8 inches of snow on the ground!

Yesiree Bill!

I have a Crestliner Phantom and a 14′ F-7. I rarely take the Phantom when I fish by myself. My wife asks me why I take the little boat all the time…easy answer…boat control and access to areas. It is nice to be fighting a fish and not really worry if I am drifting toward shore, a big stump, or weedbed…one push and I am into that one foot of water I need to go again.

Bill,
You’re sure right, they are a super. I finally had a chance to get my b’day present on the water, the little blue jon boat, and it was a blast. Had a few motor issues, but thats a story for another time. I have always fished from a deep vee and I think I’m gonna really enjoy learning the river in my toy. Glad to hear you’re having a good time, and “the joy of fishing” is back, that can’t be beat.
dave

I have a 16 ft Polar Craft with a 24 HP Honda Beavertail. I also have a 25 HP Johnson for this boat. Electric up front and with the mud motor you can really get in the backwaters. I have used my Alumacraft Tourney Sport a few times on the Mississippi as I like the jon boat better.

Glad to see others have discovered the good o’l basic fishing that comes with a jon boat. They are so much fun. Finished the rigging on the boat and now its even more fun with a seat and locator etc. Can wait til we get past winter and can really get out and have fun.

Thanks, Bill